5 Images to Help You Cope with Grief After the Orlando Shooting

Last weekend’s mass shooting in the Orlando gay club Pulse has afflicted people all over the world with feelings of despair, confusion, anger, and, most of all, grief. This tragedy has dramatically altered the lives of many: the LGBTQA community, the families and friends of the victims, those living in the Orlando area, and the everyday news reader. It is hard not to feel uncertain or depressed during this time. The extent of the tragedy poised with the ongoing political argument igniting around it makes it difficult to cope and can affect habitual tasks like working, sleeping, or eating. It can be hard to think, hard to breathe.

The cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia joins LA Pride

While the FDA still refuses to allow sexually active gay men to donate blood, hundreds of others have stepped up to help those injured in the shooting. So many donors showed up to Orlando clinics that some went over capacity. Luckily, more have been returning in the days since the tragedy.

Braden Holtby, Capitals’ goaltender, rocks the rainbow in DC Pride

El Awadi, a Muslim-American, gave blood after the shooting, despite the fact that he was fasting for Ramadan. He wrote, “Yes, our community in central Florida is heartbroken, but let’s put our colors, religions, ethnicity, sexual orientation, political views all aside so we can UNITE against those who are trying to hurt us.”

Gettysburg College hoists the pride flag on the cupola of Penn Hall

President Riggs wrote, “The Pride Flag will fly over Pennsylvania Hall this week as our community grieves over those who have recently lost their lives in Orlando. We stand with and support their loved ones and hope for the smooth recovery of those who were injured. Please join me in a continued commitment to fostering an inclusive community in which the worth and dignity of all people is a core value—and to building that community well beyond Gettysburg.”

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